New biosensing strategies based on bipolar electrochemiluminescence. Chemical analysis is a vital activity in our society, which is to a large extent confined to scientific laboratories and carried out with complex instrumentation. The breakthrough technology envisioned in this proposal will pave the way for simple, low-cost tests which can be used by non-scientists. The development of small, portable sensors for applications ranging from pollution monitoring to health testing, will enable ordi ....New biosensing strategies based on bipolar electrochemiluminescence. Chemical analysis is a vital activity in our society, which is to a large extent confined to scientific laboratories and carried out with complex instrumentation. The breakthrough technology envisioned in this proposal will pave the way for simple, low-cost tests which can be used by non-scientists. The development of small, portable sensors for applications ranging from pollution monitoring to health testing, will enable ordinary people to gain knowledge about the concentrations of molecular compounds in their environments and in themselves. This will stimulate economic and social benefits related to environmental testing and early disease diagnosis and generate new commercial opportunities for the Australian biotechnology industry.Read moreRead less
3D printed microchemical devices and systems. This project aims to address the barriers faced by 3D printing in chemistry. 3D printing can create bespoke 3D structures within a fraction of time and cost compared to traditional fabrication. However, its scope in chemistry has been limited by the poor chemical robustness, biotoxicity and low resolution of the 3D printed components. Hence, this project will develop novel gold coating techniques and explore high-resolution 3D printing to overcome th ....3D printed microchemical devices and systems. This project aims to address the barriers faced by 3D printing in chemistry. 3D printing can create bespoke 3D structures within a fraction of time and cost compared to traditional fabrication. However, its scope in chemistry has been limited by the poor chemical robustness, biotoxicity and low resolution of the 3D printed components. Hence, this project will develop novel gold coating techniques and explore high-resolution 3D printing to overcome these challenges. The project should generate commercially significant products (analytical platforms), technology (gold coating) and patents. The developed systems and technologies will address Australian research challenges in advanced manufacturing and enable on-site environmental monitoring.Read moreRead less
How electric fields can facilitate reversible protein binding to surfaces. The aim of this project is to develop the first biosensors that prevent nonspecific protein adsorption and allow reversible protein binding. The project expects to achieve this using a combination of novel surface chemistry and pulsed electric fields that dynamically change a sensing interface. The impact of electric fields on the binding of proteins to this interface will be followed using a novel single molecule fluores ....How electric fields can facilitate reversible protein binding to surfaces. The aim of this project is to develop the first biosensors that prevent nonspecific protein adsorption and allow reversible protein binding. The project expects to achieve this using a combination of novel surface chemistry and pulsed electric fields that dynamically change a sensing interface. The impact of electric fields on the binding of proteins to this interface will be followed using a novel single molecule fluorescence microscope previously developed that can locate the position of proteins with 2 nanometer resolution. The expected outcomes of this project is a class of biosensor that can continuously monitor protein biomarkers for wearable sensors that provide information on a user’s wellness and nutrition.Read moreRead less
Probing antimicrobial drug resistance by multimodal molecular analysis. This project aims to investigate drug resistance in microbial agents. With the emergence of "super bugs" there is a need to understand the biochemistry of antimicrobial resistance. Combining vibrational spectroscopic approaches and metabolomic techniques, the project will investigate cell populations, single cells and subcellular structures in search of biomarkers for drug resistance. The discovery of such biomarkers could l ....Probing antimicrobial drug resistance by multimodal molecular analysis. This project aims to investigate drug resistance in microbial agents. With the emergence of "super bugs" there is a need to understand the biochemistry of antimicrobial resistance. Combining vibrational spectroscopic approaches and metabolomic techniques, the project will investigate cell populations, single cells and subcellular structures in search of biomarkers for drug resistance. The discovery of such biomarkers could lead to improved disease management and eradication programs through identification and treatment of drug resistant pathogens in individuals that have the potential to re-infect the community.Read moreRead less
Gelled electrolyte materials for toxic gas sensing. This project aims to develop and implement an alternative approach to the current methods of monitoring of oxygen and toxic gas levels. The aim is to use novel gelled electrolytes based on ionic liquids and polymers, combined with miniaturised sensor devices, to create a robust membrane-free and spill-less design. Amperometric gas sensors are commonly employed to monitor oxygen and toxic gas levels, but the technology used is still based on a ....Gelled electrolyte materials for toxic gas sensing. This project aims to develop and implement an alternative approach to the current methods of monitoring of oxygen and toxic gas levels. The aim is to use novel gelled electrolytes based on ionic liquids and polymers, combined with miniaturised sensor devices, to create a robust membrane-free and spill-less design. Amperometric gas sensors are commonly employed to monitor oxygen and toxic gas levels, but the technology used is still based on a 1950s design. The expected outcome of the project is to make fundamental advances in the design of materials that are not affected by humidity changes and which impart selectivity towards particular gases. This will provide the basis for a new generation of low-cost, miniaturised, selective sensors for use in applications such as wearable toxic gas sensors, and as leak detectors on hydrogen-powered vehicles.Read moreRead less